Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1112638
Keb' Mo' Saturday, May 11, 8pm Golden State Theatre, Monterey Y ou have to hand it to Keb' Mo'. He's been keeping the blues fire stoked in this coun- try for more than four decades and has emerged, 11 Grammy nominations and four wins later, as one of the genre's elder statesmen at age 67. He's an acclaimed songwriter, produc- er, arranger and actor, in addition to possessing exemplary singing and guitar playing. Keb's appeal is his authenticity, warmth and adherence to the blues tradition. His latest, a 2017 collab- oration with another blues elder statesman, Taj Mahal, "TajMo," garnered the duo a Best Contemporary Blues Album Grammy. He's the real deal, folks. www.goldenstatetheatre.com HipNic Friday-Sunday, May 17-19 Fernwood Resort, Big Sur W ith Highway 1 free of obstructions south- bound, Big Sur is gear- ing up again to become a haven for eclectic, unique and creative musical beings. HipNic, a truly only-in-Big-Sur type of festival, is amazingly in its 11th year of being an exemplar of this aesthetic. Most folks don't even know who's playing at this three-day music and camping be-in when they buy tickets. They're buying into the laid-back vibe and atmosphere and communing with nature and like-minded souls. And that's just a start. Promoter Britt Govea and his (((folkYEAH!))) is going all out this summer, with acts such as Robyn Hitchcock, May 17; Mac DeMarco, May 20-21; and post-punk heroes The Mekons, on July 23, booked into the redwoods of Big Sur, and more on the way. Ahhh, bliss. www.folkyeah.com California Roots Music and Arts Festival Friday-Sunday May 24-26, Monterey County Fair and Event Center, Monterey I n 10 years, the California Roots Music and Arts Festival, or "Cali Roots," has not only become the one of the biggest and best reggae festi- vals in the country, but worldwide. Fans flock to the event from all over the world, despite the fact that reggae doesn't get much recognition from the charts and, frankly, the music press. This year, big names of the genre such as Ben Harper, Slightly Stoopid, Stick Figure, Dir ty Heads, Rebelution, Soja and UB40, will keep thousands of fans entertained. If you plan on going, don't wait to buy tickets or you'll be singing the blues. www.californiarootsfestival.com 60th Castroville Artichoke Food & Wine Festival June 1-2, 2019 Monterey County Fair & Event Center, Monterey I t still seems a bit odd that the Castroville Artichoke Food & Wine Festival is now held in Monterey, but why not? It's a big, beautiful venue, conveniently located, with lots of trees and lawns. And artichokes are still the center- piece of the event. In addition to artichokes cooked and served every way possible, there's a beer, wine and spirits garden, chef demos, live entertainment, a kids' zone, field tours and much EVERYONE LOVES A LIST, RIGHT? HERE ARE MY PICKS FOR FUN EVENTS WORTH CHECKING OUT IN MONTEREY COUNTY! ADMIT ONE W I T H M A C M C D O N A L D 114 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 Don't miss The Purple Xperience performing Wednesday, June 5, 8pm at Sunset Center, Carmel. Keb' Mo' performs May 11 at the Golden State Theatre in Monterey.